FIFA confirm Sandro Tonali ban will start immediately
On Thursday, the president of the FIGC revealed the length of Tonali's ban after the 23-year-old and his lawyers negotiated a plea bargain with Italian prosecutors.
Despite that, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe revealed at a press conference on Friday that Tonali had a «high chance» of playing in Saturday's Premier League clash at Wolverhampton Wanderers as the club were yet to receive official confirmation of the midfielder's ban from the Italian authorities.
Tonali had made two substitute appearances against Crystal Palace and Borussia Dortmund over the last seven days while awaiting the verdict of his case, and he was preparing to travel with the rest of the Magpies' squad to Molineux.
However, football's world governing body FIFA have since confirmed on Friday evening that Tonali's 10-month ban from football will begin immediately, after ratifying the request from the Italian authorities, meaning that he is unavailable to play against Wolves on Saturday.
Tonali is ruled out for the rest of the 2023-24 season and is also unable to represent Italy should they qualify for Euro 2024 – which will take place in Germany between June 14 and July 14 – as his ban will expire at the end of August of next year.
A statement from FIFA read: «The request submitted by the Italian Football Association to extend the sanction it imposed on the player Sandro Tonali on [Friday] to have worldwide effect has been granted.»
Tonali's ban will consist of a 10-month suspension from worldwide football, but the midfielder is expected to be
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